Morphometric analysis and prioritisation of watersheds for flood risk management in Wadi Easal Basin (WEB), Jordan, using geospatial technologies

Abstract

Morphometric analysis and sub‐watersheds prioritisation were carried out for the Wadi Easal Basin, Jordan, which is characterised by a high topographic diversity. The total ranking method was applied to prioritise the sub‐watersheds in terms of susceptibility to flash flood. Results of morphometric analysis revealed that the study area is a fifth order drainage system with a dendritic drainage pattern and elongated shape. Prioritisation results showed that about 71% (15 out of 21 sub‐watersheds) of sub‐watersheds have high‐very high susceptibility to flooding, which forms about 64% of the total area of the basin. The main underlying morphometric parameters behind this are the high drainage density, stream frequency, high basin relief, basin slope, ruggedness number, and circulatory ratio, and the low value of basin shape. Overall, the basin has a rugged topography with steep slopes and high relief. Since the basin is ungauged, and no information about its past hydrological behaviour is present, the results of this study can be used as guidance for competent authorities to initialize flood mitigation or artificial groundwater recharge measures.

Effect of flood risk management methods on urban flooding: Article review

“…After that, the vulnerability level analysis can be carried out by applying the MCDA spatial method and weighting using the Process Hierarchy Analytical Method (AHP) on the physical, social, and land exposure criteria [25]. Morphometric analysis with the main parameters was carried out by considering the drainage density height, flow frequency, high basin relief, basin slope, total roughness, circulation ratio, and basin shape value [29]. Analysis can also be performed using the complete iCOW framework to assess the overall performance of an unprotected city against the exogenous aggregate sequence of storm surges [30].…”

“…This article contains a morphometric analysis and sub-watershed priority carried out in Jordan's Wadi Easal Basin. The main morphometric parameters that underlie this are high drainage density, flow frequency, high basin relief, basin slope, total roughness, circulation ratio, and low basin shape values [29].…”

Determining the Hydrological Behaviour of Catchment Based on Quantitative Morphometric Analysis in the Hard Rock Area of Nand Samand Catchment, Rajasthan, India

“…Currently, hypsometric curves are generated through GIS, and have been widely used throughout [51]. For example, many researchers have studied hypsometric analysis using GIS techniques (e.g., [18,19,21,22,39,[58][59][60]). HI was calculated based on Equation (10) in this study [47,61].…”

“…The drainage network obtained from the digital elevation model (DEM) is a more practical approach to drainage morphometric analyses (MA) [7]. Many scientists have utilized traditional methods to study the basin MP of different catchments [8][9][10][11] based on RS and GIS approaches [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22], as such techniques are effective methods [15]. Several studies have assessed the form and processes of river basins using morphometric analysis; for example, Arulbalaji and Padmalal [23] used geospatial techniques for obtaining the drainage network of the Cauvery River basin (India), considering linear, relief, and aerial aspects.…”

Morphometric analysis and watershed prioritization in relation to soil erosion in Dudhnai Watershed

“…Chandniha and Kansal (2014) used morphometric analysis to determine the priority for watershed management of nine sub-watersheds in Piperiya watershed. Application of morphometric analysis and watershed prioritization for flood risk assessment are found in the studies by Syed et al (2017) and Obeidat et al (2021). Abdeta et al (2020) used morphometry and watershed prioritization as a decision tool for proper watershed management planning in Gidabo basin, Ethoipia.…”